700+ to Take Part in California ‘Muslim Day at the Capitol’ on April 24

On Monday, April 24, the California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) will host its 6th annual Muslim Day at the Capitol (MDAC) in Sacramento, with more than 700 participants expected to attend.

At MDAC, Muslims from across California will have an opportunity to meet state legislators and their staff to discuss issues of concern and to advocate for positive social change. This year, MDAC attendees will be advocating for a breadth of civil rights issues including protections for undocumented individuals, measures to prevent school bullying and hate crime reporting.

One bill on the MDAC legislative agenda is the Religious Freedom Act (SB 31), sponsored by Senator Ricardo Lara and cosponsored by CAIR-CA. SB 31 prohibits state or local agencies from collecting information on the religious beliefs, practices, or affiliations of an individual, and from participating in a federal program to create a database on a person’s religious beliefs, national origin or ethnicity for law enforcement of immigration purposes.

CAIR California Legislative and Government Affairs Coordinator Yannina Casillas stated: “Our nation needs us to build a better, bolder future. We have our work cut out for us, but we are ready to act against fear. This is the time to roll up our sleeves and be courageous.”